Future of Carlington Community Police Centre Evermore in Doubt

by Greg Clunis.

Conflicting Opinions Abound

Depending on who you talk to, the future of the Carlington Police
Centre has or has not been decided. Those who say it has point to the
overhead of keeping a Police Officer full time in the centre and the
increased neighbourhood security that could be brought about by having the
officer on the streets instead. Others will tell you that a public
consultation progress is to happen before any final decisions are made.

Who to believe? Let's consider the facts. The Police Centre was
originally established in the Alexander Community Centre. Some keen
uniformed police established links with the community that have since been
credited for improving relationships (at least in part) with area youth.

The Police Centre then moved to W.E. Gowling and by all accounts was a
great success, the biggest challenge being the limited hours of access.
All the while, a dedicated and well organized team of volunteers were
always in evidence, and available to help out with extraordinary needs
like the vaccination of all students.

Then the move to Westgate Shopping Centre - a dream come true, and an
improvement to the level of public access that many other parts of Ottawa
enjoy.

And then the abrupt closure: Volunteers left in the dark, and with
nothing to do. Surely this can't be the solution?

At the monthly meeting of the Carlington Community Association on 13
February, we were told that a community consultation process was underway.
However, newly assigned Constables Laflamme and McGillivray are proceeding
with their own initiative to make contact with community volunteers. Stay
tuned....